Earth Systems Stabilization Summit

Context

There are currently two main climate strategies — mitigation of human emissions and adaptation to the physical effects of climate change. Both are urgent and essential.

But as hotter temperatures destabilize critical Earth systems – from clouds to glaciers to wetlands – we now face non-linear risks that mitigation alone may not avert and from which adaptation may not offer sufficient protection. There’s growing evidence that major irreversible impacts, from sea level rise to ocean current shutdowns, could be triggered sooner than scientists once thought. And higher temperatures are unleashing feedback loops that could make the planet much hotter, both by increasing emissions from natural systems and by making Earth less reflective.

That’s why we now need to add a third leg to the stool: Earth systems stabilization. To start, we need to accelerate research to better understand the risks posed by unstable Earth systems and how we can safely and effectively stabilize them.

The Earth Systems Stabilization Summit will convene leading scientists, practitioners, and philanthropic funders to explore opportunities to catalyze this critical new field.

A preliminary agenda for the 2026 Summit is available here (subject to change).